With spring in full bloom, there's no better time to hit the open road and buckle up for your next adventure. However, traveling can be a hefty expense and often doesn't leave much leftover cash for new luggage or a top-notch vacation wardrobe.
The good news is the Shop TODAY Travel Gear Awards 2025 are here, and we found the best affordable luggage, packing cubes, swimsuits and more — all for under $50. From a roomy carry-on to an insulated water bottle, you can stock up on all your favorite travel goods without dipping into your savings.
Keep scrolling to find award-winning, budget-friendly picks from top brands like REI, Bomba's, Lands' End, Old Navy and more — starting at only $13.
Award-winning baggage under $50
REI Co-op Roadtripper 40 Duffel
Award: Best compactable duffel bag | Overall score: 5/5
Planning a road trip? If so, this roomy duffel bag from REI should be on your radar. It's designed with durable recycled polyester and features a zippered pocket in the front for easy access to items like your wallet, phone charger or snacks.
Gonex Canvas Duffle Bag
Award: Best value duffel bag | Overall score: 5/5
Are you in need of more compartments? This tear-resistant canvas duffle bag is equipped with not one, not two, not three... but six pockets to keep your essentials safe on the go. It's even designed with a shoulder strap that you can remove if you'd rather utilize the two sewn-in handles.
Wrangler Hardside Spinner Carry-On Suitcase
Award: Best value carry-on | Overall score: 4.67/5
Whether you're headed to the beach or the mountains for spring break travel, this budget-friendly carry-on will do the trick. The hard-side spinner is lightweight, and it's designed with an inner strap to keep your clothing in place when it's folded within the luggage.
Award-winning organizers for under $50
Bagsmart Travel Jewelry Case
Award: Best overall jewelry case | Overall score: 4.67/5
Traveling with jewelry? Instead of piling your precious necklaces, bracelets and earrings into a pocket of your toiletry bag (been there), organize your gems in this foldable case. The lightweight pouch has five spaces to hold your accessories, and it’s available in seven colors as well as two sizes.
Open Story Large Hanging Toiletry Bag
Award: Best value toiletry bag | Overall score: 4/5
There’s nothing worse than having nowhere to keep your toiletry bag when you’re getting ready in a hotel bathroom — but thankfully, this pack is designed with a built-in hanger so you can have easy access to your must-have items without taking up counterspace.
Veken Packing Cube Set
Award: Best value packing cube | Overall Score: 4.33/5
If you’re anything like me, your suitcase may be a jumbled mess of folded jeans, rolled shirts and squeezed-in sneakers. With the help of these packing cubes, you can easily bring order to the chaos while keeping your belongings tidy. This set includes eight separate “cubes” to hold various items from laundry to cosmetics and more.
“If you were picky about the organization of your suitcase, this is a must do,” recommends travel adviser Jonathan Alder. “Cubes keep all of your items isolated so nothing gets mixed up together and everything stays really nice. If you are one of those people that wants to open their suitcase and make it look like a retail store display — this is the item for you.”
Gonex Compression Packing Cubes
Award: Best value compression packing cube | Overall score: 3.60/5
Unlike many other standard packing cubes on the market, these compression packing cubes will do just that: compress your clothing and save space in your suitcase. This six-piece set includes zippered nylon packages in addition to a clear cosmetics case.
“I’m new to compression packing cubes, but now I’ll never travel without them,” shares social media associate editor Dani Musacchio. “This Shop TODAY Travel Awards winner helps me save so much space in my suitcase, which means I can bring more outfit options on my trips. Plus, I love how they keep everything organized so I don’t have to rummage through my luggage.”
Bagsmart Paz Hanging Toiletry Bag
Award: Best toiletry bag for families | Overall Score: 4/5
At a first glance, this toiletry bag seems like a small makeup case... but it’s much more than that. Once the pack is opened and displayed (thanks to the built-in hanger), it unravels to showcase four pockets where you can keep soaps, shampoos, perfumes and more.
Bagsmart Bubble Expandable Travel Tote Bag
Award: Best value tote bag | Overall score: 4/5
Who doesn’t like a puffer travel tote? This bag, which is extremely lightweight, is designed with a large zippered compartment that holds two side pockets on the inside and four pockets on the outside. It’s offered in four colors.
Bagsmart Blast Compression Travel Packing Cubes
Award: Best overall compression packing cube | Overall score: 4.67/5
Looking for more compression cubes? This pack, which our team named “best overall,” surely won’t disappoint. It includes five compression cubes in addition to a sneaker bag, so you won’t have to store your shoes alongside any clothing.
Baggallini Hanging Travel Toiletry Kit
Award: Best splurge toiletry bag | Overall score: 4/5
This toiletry bag from Baggallini is also designed to hang and unravel for easy access to travel essentials. It features two main compartments (with both clear and mesh casings), along with a zippered pouch that's perfect for jewelry.
Calpak Water Resistant Zippered Pouch Set
Award: Best overall travel pouch | Overall Score: 4.67/5
Worried about water spills mid-travel? You can always opt for this water-resistant, TPU-coated pouch set, which includes three different-sized bags to keep your toiletries and travel gear. Since each one is also designed with a built-in handle, they're easy to transfer from your luggage.
Award-winning tech accessories under $50
Iniu Portable Charger
Award: Best overall portable charger | Overall score: 4.67/5
Gone are the days of frantically searching for an outlet while you're traveling, thanks to this portable charger. Once it's powered up, you'll be able to take it on the go and charge your tech quickly and easily.
Insignia All-in-One Travel Adapter
Award: Best overall travel adapter | Overall score: 4/5
If you're traveling to a new country, you may want to pack this all-in-one travel adapter so you don't have any issues powering your electronics. It's compatible for use in North America, China, Australia, Europe and the United Kingdom.
Loop Quiet 2 Ear Plugs
Award: Best earplugs for travel | Overall score: 4.33/5
Snoozing on the go has never been easier, all thanks to these Loop ear plugs made with smooth, comfortable silicone. Since they're designed with hoop-shaped grips, they're simple to place into (and take out of) your ears.
Associate editor Shannon Garlin has been wearing her Loops for years — complimenting their unmatched comfortability and sleek design.
Tile Slim Tracker
Award: Most innovative travel tracker | Overall score: 4.33/5
Worried about losing track of your wallet during your vacation? The Tile Slim Tracker can help. It’s shaped just like a credit card, so it can fit into a wallet pouch or even a luggage tag. Similar to the original Tile Tracker, this one connects to your phone.
Hatch Rest Go Portable Sound Machine
Award: Best sleep gadget for travel | Overall score: 5/5
If you’re someone who loves to sleep with white noise, this portable sound machine from Hatch fits in the palm of your hand, making it easy to pack for hotel stays. It features 10 soothing sounds, such as ocean waves and standard white noise.
"I need white noise when going to sleep and this handy machine is great for traveling!" raves production associate Camryn Privette. "It's pretty basic and has everything you need for a good night sleep. It has 10 different sounds (rain, ocean, white noise) so you can change it up. The battery lasts for 15+ hours so I think overall this is a great value."
Counterpart The Charger
Award: Best retractable charger | Overall score: 4.67/5
Say goodbye to tangled cords, this innovative charger has a retractable cord that reaches up to four feet. The USB-C port allows you to use it for a variety of devices, like e-readers, portable headphones, phones and more.
Award-winning beauty essentials under $50
The Skinsheet The Cleansing Coins
Award: Best on-the-go beauty essentials | Overall score: 4/5
Remember those tiny cloth action figures that would expand in water? These face "coins" are kind of like those. When you damp them with water, they unravel into 10-by-10-inch face cloths that you can use to wash your face, remove makeup and more.
Award-winning travel accessories under $50
Goaus Passport Holder
Award: Best innovative tech | Overall score: 4.6/5
Keeping track of your passport is always a little stressful... unless you keep yours in a passport holder, like this one. One of its coolest designs is the Apple AirTag holder that gives you peace of mind while traveling. It’s also built with multiple pockets along with a convenient pen holder for quick notes on the go.
Editor’s note: Our award-winner is no longer available, but we found a similar pick below.
Pascacoo Passport Holder with AirTag Slot
Buff CoolNet UV Gaiter
Award: Best multiuse outdoor accessory | Overall score: 4.67/5
Whether you're on a hike and need to hold your hair back or if you're simply in need of some extra UV coverage, this multiuse gaiter can help. It's made from a cooling, stretchy combination of polyester and elestane, and it even offers UPF-50 protection against the sun.
Camelback Chute Mag Insulated Water Bottle
Award: Best value water bottle | Overall score: 4.67/5
From early road trips to warm beach days, this travel water bottle will keep your beverages cold for 32 hours and hot for up to 12 hours, according to the brand.
Cabeau Nap Now Hoodie
Award: Best for red eye travel | Overall score: 4.33/5
If you need a quick nap on the go but don't have access to a full-sized hoodie, you're in luck. This Nap Now Hoodie is designed just like a standard hood, and you can easily tighten it underneath your eyes for a dimly lit snooze mid-flight or train ride.
Rumpl Stuffable Pillow Case
Award: Best overall travel pillow | Overall score: 4/5
Now this is what we call a travel hack! This travel pillow opens up to offer extra packing space for your clothing, blankets or any soft essentials you can lie on.
Nodpod Sleep Mask
Award: Best sleep mask for travel | Overall score: 4.67/5
This standout sleep mask from NodPod is essentially a weighted blanket for your eyes, and Shop TODAY editor Amanda Fama can't sleep without hers. It's double-sided and is designed with a loophole that makes it simple to keep it in place while sitting up.
Kinto 20932 Travel Tumbler
Award: Best compact travel mug | Overall score: 4.67/5
This small travel tumbler won't take up space in your bag, whether you're traveling by train, car — or looking to use airport fill stations to avoid $5 water bottles.
Ninja Sip Perfect Travel Mug
Award: Best overall travel mug | Overall score: 5/5
Ninja is known for their high-quality kitchen appliances, so you can expect this travel mug to deliver, too. It will keep your beverages warm for hours, says the brand, which will be appreciated on long road trips.
RovR ChillR 40oz Insulated Tumbler
Award: Best overall water bottle | Overall score: 5/5
You'll want to bring this tumbler along with you on your next road trip. According to the brand, it can fit in almost any cupholder, has two types of sip functions and is spill-proof.
Award-winning fashion under $50
Charmking Compression Socks
Award: Best value compression socks | Overall score: 4.17/5
These compression socks offer the perfect amount of compression to promote blood circulation and prevent soreness on long sitting travel days. You'll get three pairs for under $15.
For those who need the increased blood flow to their legs on a flight or a long run, writer Emma Stessman says "you really can't beat how affordable these socks are! For just $13 you get three pairs and they provide a medium level of compression, so you can definitely feel it but it's not overly tight."
H&M Padded Cup One-Piece Swimsuit
Award: Best one-piece swimsuit | Overall score: 4.16/5
This one-piece is a timeless swimsuit that you can always count on to be in style. It’s designed with removable padded cups and provides medium coverage, says the brand.
“This one-piece feels surprisingly high quality for the price! It’s a flattering cut with a low back and just enough coverage on the bottom,” raves associate partnerships editor Lauren Witonsky.
Bombas Women's Everyday Compression Socks
Award: Best overall compression socks | Overall score: 4.67/5
If you have a long flight coming up, you might want to think of investing in a pair of compression socks. According to the brand, this option is designed to lightly hug your calves to relieve soreness and achiness.
"I love that they widen around the top so they comfortably go over the calves without feeling like they're being choked," self-proclaimed Bombas fan and associate editor Kamari Stewart says. "I wore these on a flight along with the Santiny joggers and, just like the joggers, could definitely have worn these for much longer. Overall, they provided an amount of compression that you could feel, but it wasn't uncomfortable."
Maamgic 2-in-1 7-Inch Swim
Award: Best swim trunks | Overall score: 4/5
These swim trunks have a built-in boxer brief lining for extra coverage and comfort. We love that both the lining and trunks have a pocket so you can stow your keys, room key or other essentials.
Soothfeel UPF 50+ Sun Protection Lightweight Jacket
Award: Best overall sun protection jacket | Overall score: 4/5
Whether you're hiking, camping or wanting extra coverage at the beach, this lightweight jacket will keep you cool and protect your skin from a painful and damaging sunburn.
Santiny Women's Joggers
Award: Best value joggers | Overall score: 4/5
These bestselling joggers are designed with deep pockets so you can stow your phone, keys and more essentials, allowing you to pack less in your everyday bag. It comes in over 20 colors, and at under $35, you might want to grab two.
"This is a nice lightweight multipurpose pant," says deals editor Rebecca Brown. "I got the beige color so they were see-through on the backside, but had I bought black I can easily see these becoming a travel pant, gym pant (it’s a lightweight material) and walkaround pant."
Anrabess Sleeveless Jumpsuit
Award: Best overall jumpsuit | Overall score: 4.50/5
Jumpsuits are the perfect one-and-done outfit for traveling. The style is cozy and on-trend, allowing you to feel your best on long travel days.
Our editors wore this jumpsuit to work and on weekend trips, complimenting its style and fit — noting that the tapered legs that make it feel like a jogger, breathable feel and the fact that you can dress it up or down were among their favorites.
Uniqlo Wide Sweatpants
Award: Best sweatpants for men | Overall score: 4.17/5
Travel in the ultimate comfort with these wide-fitting sweatpants from Uniqlo. It even features back pockets for a stylish, yet functional touch.
Old Navy Textured Swim Romper
Award: Best swim romper | Overall score: 4/5
This modest, romper-style swimsuit provides full coverage, making it ideal for family beach vacations and cruises. It comes in six colorways, from black to floral.
Lands' End Starfish Mid Rise Straight Leg Pants
Award: Best petite-friendly pant | Overall score: 4.16/5
On the petite side? Then you'll understand how hard it is to shop for pants. Our reviewers loved this Lands' End option for its fit. While it comes in petite length, there are options for tall, regular and plus-size, too.
"I love that these pants have multiple lengths!" says editorial assistant Madison San Miguel. "I'm barely 5'3 (on a good day), and shopping for pants is difficult. They're often too long on me, so I really appreciated that a petite option was available. They're very comfortable and soft, plus appealing to wear outside of lounging. I even wore them to work out and had no issues."
Halara Ribbed Boat Neck Asymmetric Flowy Maxi Dress
Award: Best overall dress | Overall score: 4.83/5
This elevated maxi dress will take you from daytime exploring to dinner. It features a flattering drop waist design and comes in 15 colorways.
"This is hands-down the most comfortable dress I've ever worn," admits production associate Audrey Ekman. "It's made from a jersey material that reminds me of super soft bedsheets (in the best way) and it's so flowy and stretchy. The fitted waist and asymmetic ruching keep it feeling modern and fashionable. I was nervous the maxi cut would be too long on me (I'm 5'1") but it just skims the tops of my feet in flats. Plus, it has pockets! The generous coverage up top means it's bra-friendly, and I'd definitely suggest wearing one since the top isn't designed to offer much support."
2XU Signature Long Sleeve Tee
Award: Best men's tee | Overall score: 4/5
Featuring breathable and moisture-wicking fabric, this long-sleeved tee will keep him comfortable and dry during his day-to-day activities. Choose from five colors, from black to hunter green.
Columbia Women's Spire Valley Windbreaker
Award: Best overall women's windbreaker | Overall score: 4/5
Protect yourself from harsh elements with this Columbia windbreaker. According to the brand, it'll protect you from the sun's harsh rays and light rain.
Quince Tencel Jersey Fit & Flare Dress
Award: Best daytime dress | Overall score: 4/5
Flattering, stylish and stretchy: This dress checks every box when it comes to traveling in comfort. You can pair it with your favorite walking shoes, then dress it up with heels for dinner.
Our editors note that while this dress feels a bit heavy, it's super flattering and "for the price point it's hard to beat," says producer and editor Julie Ricevuto.
Award-winning footwear under $50
Dream Pairs Chunky Fashion Sneaker
Award: Best fashion walking sneaker | Overall score: 4/5
You don't have to sacrifice style for comfort, these sneakers are as cute as they are functional. According to the brand, the shoes feature a soft and cushioned insole to help wick moisture and provide support.
Social media video producer Anita Chomenko tested these sneakers for Shop TODAY's Travel Gear Awards and is a fan. "They look nice for work and would pair well with joggers, jeans, dressy pants and some dresses," she says.
Birkenstock Arizona Essentials EVA Sandal
Award: Best overall sandal | Overall score: 4.67/5
"This was my first pair of Birkenstock and they didn't disappoint," says Garlin. "I was actually shocked at the price, too! I thought these would be way more expensive but they're a good price for the brand name," she adds.
"I like that they're waterproof making them a cute and comfortable beach shoe. Even though, they're not corkbed, the sole still has a contoured design making it supportive for your feet, especially the arches," Garlin adds.
Meet the experts
- Brady Schrock is a flight attendant for a commercial airline and also served on our panel of 2024 Travel Awards experts.
- Katie Jackson is a travel writer and expert, who also served on our panel of 2023 and 2024 Travel Awards experts.
- Jonathan Alder is a luxury travel planner and adviser, and also served on our panel of 2024 Travel Awards experts.
- Stephen Sabato is a United Airlines Captain and has flown with them for the past 20 years. He’s been a pilot for 30 years.
How we chose
We sorted through hundreds of new launches, editor recommendations, trending products flooding our social media pages and tried and true products to curate a list of must-have travel items worth reviewing for our awards. We then tried 214 products total — in our studios, putting them through practical experiments to see if they meet requirements when it comes to durability, function and quality for travel gear.
Our team of editors and writers also signed up to try out apparel and shoes, putting them to the test in New York City and on our travels across the country as well as overseas. Finally, our panel of experts reviewed some of our winners and gave feedback based on their expertise.
Has your product been featured?
Shop TODAY is editorially independent and our team of editors and writers work hard to pick the best products to share with our readers and viewers. We may license our logo to brands or products that have been featured on Shop TODAY.
Click here if you’re interested in licensing your inclusion in Shop TODAY content or to learn more from our licensing partner, Wrights Media.
- Award-winning baggage under $50
- Award-winning organizers for under $50
- Award-winning tech accessories under $50
- Award-winning beauty essentials under $50
- Award-winning travel accessories under $50
- Award-winning fashion under $50
- Award-winning footwear under $50
- Meet the experts
- How we chose
- Has your product been featured?
